Texas House Bill HB2928

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the creation and administration of the public high school mathematics and science teachers undergraduate education scholarship program.

Impact

If enacted, the legislation will fundamentally alter educational assistance in Texas by specifically targeting scholarships towards students committed to teaching in areas identified as having a shortage of qualified educators. The scholarship amount is pegged to the tuition costs at the respective institutions attended by the recipients, which can alleviate the financial burden typically associated with pursuing a teaching degree. The goal of the program is to ensure that newly certified teachers can enter the public school system ready to fill these crucial roles, hopefully leading to improved educational outcomes in mathematics and science disciplines at the high school level.

Summary

HB2928 proposes the establishment of a scholarship program aimed at undergraduate students who intend to become mathematics and science teachers in Texas high schools. The bill mandates the creation of Subchapter FF under Chapter 61 of the Education Code, whereby eligible students enrolled in accredited educator preparation programs can receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships that cover their tuition. This initiative seeks to address the pressing need for qualified math and science teachers in public high schools by incentivizing students in higher education to pursue teaching careers in these critical fields.

Contention

Noteworthy aspects of HB2928 include a requirement for scholarship recipients to enter into agreements that stipulate they must teach in designated schools for a certain period after graduation. This introduces a conditional element to the scholarships, as they could convert into loans if the teaching obligations are not met. Potential areas of debate could focus on the feasibility and implications of these teaching commitments, particularly as students weigh their career options upon graduation and the varying employment opportunities available in different regions across Texas.